"Bravo! You will place Doña Clara on one, and mount the other yourself."
"And go straight to the Hacienda de la Noria."
"That is it. Don Pablo will be delighted to recover his sister, whom he expected never to see again, and will not haggle over the price he pays for her deliverance."
"Famous! In that way we run no risk of not reaching the placer, as our party will only consist of men."
"Excellently reasoned!"
Andrés Garote rose with a smile which would have caused the monk to reflect, had he seen it; but at the same moment the latter was rubbing his hands, saying in a low voice, and with a most satisfied air,—
"Now, my scamp, I've got you."
What secret thought possessed these two men, who were carrying on a mutual deceit, none save themselves could have said. The gambusino approached the door of the room where Doña Clara was confined, and put the key in the lock. At this moment two vigorous blows were dealt on the door of the rancho, which had been carefully bolted after Red Cedar's departure. The two accomplices started.
"Must I open?" Andrés asked.
"Yes," the monk answered; "hesitation or refusal might create alarm. In our position we must foresee everything."